Description
Delightful and refreshing Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites with Dill, perfect as a light appetizer or snack. Crisp cucumber slices are topped with a creamy, tangy mixture of cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, and fresh dill, then garnished with various toppings like cherry tomatoes, olives, bacon, and smoked salmon for a customizable flavor experience.
Ingredients
Cucumber Base
- 1-2 cucumbers, cut into ½ inch rounds
- Salt, to season
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- Additional dill sprigs
- Cherry or grape tomatoes, thinly sliced
- Sliced olives
- Bite-size pieces of bacon
- Bite-size pieces of smoked salmon
Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Arrange cucumber slices on a baking sheet lined with paper towels or a clean tea towel, seasoning both sides with salt. Let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to draw out excess moisture and enhance flavor.
- Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a few grinds of black pepper. Whisk on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping the sides as needed. Stir in chopped fresh dill until evenly distributed. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Alternatively, this can be done using a hand mixer or whisk by hand.
- Assemble the Bites: Pat the cucumber slices dry with a towel to remove moisture and excess salt. Arrange the slices on a serving platter. Using a metal measuring spoon, create a small indentation in the center of each cucumber slice, then fill with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture. Garnish with desired toppings such as dill sprigs, sliced cherry tomatoes, olives, bacon, or smoked salmon.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the bites immediately for best texture and flavor, or cover and refrigerate for up to a couple of hours ahead of time to let flavors meld.
Notes
- If you don't have a stand mixer, you can whisk the cream cheese mixture by hand or use a hand mixer with good results.
- Removing excess moisture from the cucumbers is important to prevent sogginess.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference for a vegetarian or meat-based option.
- These bites are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
